OAUSA Net - March 23, 2023 - Firearm / Shooting Trends and Fads

[DaveK]

NET PREVIEW # I, II, and II

Firearm / Shooting Trends and Fads

Things are a-changin'. But for a long, long time, that has been true. In a sense, firearms and shooting are like any other area of life - when the ingenuity of man creates something new, and it is (or appears to be) the greatest thing around, people will flock to buy it. At least here in the US, the firearm and shooting sports industries have always been in a constant state of development, and new products are being offered to the public almost on a daily basis. Many of these new products have withstood the test of time. For others, time has not been kind.

Like all businesses, firearm and shooting companies rely on advertising to spur sales. They know that we respond to advertising, ESPECIALLY, when it contains phrases like , "new", "new technology", "revolutionary", "major breakthrough", and other similar high praise descriptions. We buy, but the only way we discover if these new products were a fad or a trend, is when the test of time has finally had its effect.

This week, we want to explore these trends, or fads. We know many, but not all. Join us with your thoughts.

[DaveK]

Firearm and Shooting Trends / Fads

1. Lead Free Bullets

The discussion of lead bullets requires a brief visit with its history, as well as a look the reasons for it's popularity. The use of lead dates back thousands of years. The first firearms did not use lead projectiles, but it wasn't long before firearm makers discovered the advantage of this very heavy metal. The underlying reasons why lead was, and still is, the most common component in the manufacture of bullets are no secret:

• plentiful and cheap

• extremely malleable

• low melting point making it easy to shape into projectiles by common shooters

• high density

• can be alloyed with other metals for a harder bullet, suitable for higher velocities

The virtues of lead projectiles, which have existed for hundreds of years, still exist today. But, current technology has made some significant improvements, and one of the greatest advances has been the addition of other substances to the mix to create better and more effective alloys, and thus a better bullet. In an almost equal proportion, the metal jacket, for lead core bullets, and the bonding of the lead core to the jacket, have similarly advanced the effectiveness of lead bullets. The net effect of each of these three factors, has produced some very effective firearm projectiles. The standard that current lead bullet technology has set has created a very high bar which non lead bullets must meet, or surpass, if they are to remain viable.

These are the usual standards by which bullets are judged:

• The amount of energy applied to the target, usually measured in foot pounds.

• Its ability to effectively and sufficiently penetrate the target, creating as much internal damage as possible for an ethical kill.

• The extent to which a projectile can maintain as much of its original weight as possible, thus improving its ability to penetrate. The deeper the penetration, the more internal damage, and the greater probability of an ethical and humane kill.

• The extent to which it can mushroom (or expand in size), thus increasing internal damage and resulting in a quick, humane, and ethical kill.

Credit is due when credit is earned, and lead bullets are, by these standards, quite effective. When compared head to head, I have tested copper to lead, with these results.

Copper vs lead, or is copper just a fad

Lead

Nosler Part 30 cal 165 gr.JPG (191.44 KiB) Viewed 1441 times

Copper

Barnes 30 cal 165 gr.JPG (521.9 KiB) Viewed 1441 times

Testing final results

Final Comparison.jpg (383.83 KiB) Viewed 1441 times

My winners:
Mushrooming - copper
Weight Retention- copper
Penetration - depends on weight retention
Energy transfer - similar


2. Moly Bullet Coatings

Molybdenum-disulfide, known as moly, is a slick compound used to coat copper jacketed lead and copper bullets. In the late 90s, moly coated bullets were catapulted to popularity on claims of reduced barrel friction, velocity increases of as much as 200 fps, reduced fouling, cooler barrels, longer lasting barrels, doubling the number of shots between cleanings, and sustained accuracy for twice as many rounds. Barnes, and others touted this "new technology" as a major breakthrough for shooters looking for another edge while in the field.

The combined effect of these claims rocked the shooting world, and moly coated bullets were all the rage, but only for a short time. Moly's upward trajectory, in terms of popularity, was only matched by its downward trajectory when when shooters and manufacturers realized that moly was not the breakthrough it claimed to be.

My Handloads with Barnes XLC Bullets

Barnes Moly Coated X bullet-1.jpg (345.15 KiB) Viewed 1439 times

While there may be some remaining adherents to moly coatings, the evidence was overwhelming that it just wasn't what it claimed to be. Early on, Barnes Bullets reloading manual #3, published in 2001, gushed with praise for moly coatings, but these bullets were not destined to last long in their catalog or in their reloading manuals. My personal experience with moly bullets was disappointing, and I never purchased another box.

Some 20 years after the moly craze, several sources looked back and offered their analysis. Many of them looked like this:

Midsouth Shooters - dated 2018: (https://mssblog.com/2018/10/19/reloader ... d-bullets/)

• All the rage in 1998 and all but dead 2018

• It coats the bore with a layer of residue. This layer traps moisture and will, not can, corrode the steel underneath it.

• If the barrel is cleaned (correctly) after each use, no problems. But then another advantage is lost because starting with a clean barrel it takes quite a few rounds to return to zero. The layer has to be recreated.

• Accuracy tends to suffer running bare bullets though a residue-coated bore (which results after only a few coated rounds, that are coated with anything)

Sniper Country Dated - dated 2121 (https://www.snipercountry.com/moly-coated-bullets/)

• Overall, moly coated bullets show accuracy reduction more than anything else.

3. Short Fat Magnums

What is a short fat magnum? In most cases, it is a shortened version of an established and existing magnum cartridge. Like thus:

300 WSM* (left) and .300 Win Mag (right.)----------------*WSM = Winchester Short Magnum

Short fatty 30 cal.jpg (11.55 KiB) Viewed 1439 times

Source: Ontario OUT of DOORS
https://oodmag.com/whats-the-deal-with-short-magnums/


The short fat magnum movement really got started in the late 90s, or by some accounts, in the very early 2000s. Once the short magnums were introduced, one could hardly read a gun magazine without seeing an article on the shorties. It's been about 25 years since the short fat craze began, catapulted to popularity on the strength of claims, such as:

• Same velocity of traditional longer magnum counterparts

• Shorter length, resulting in shorter actions, meaning lighter rifles and less bolt throw (quicker cycle time)

• More efficient powder combustion, requiring less powder to reach the same velocities

The first player, who most view as the first to introduce the short magnums, was Winchester. Quickly thereafter, both Remington and Ruger jumped on the bandwagon. The resulting onslaught of new cartridges became a bit dizzying, as they all boasted similar benefits. Overall, in the world of firearms, having many choices can be a good thing.

So the question is, have they lived up to the hype, and have they earned a legitimate place in the gun and ammo world. Economic realities will ultimately determine the fate of new products. So, one need look no further than gun and ammo company websites to gauge popularity.

A check of current rifle offerings for short magnums is a good indicator of their current popularity. Below are current chamberings for short magnums from popular manufacturers

Winchester Rifles
Model 70 (regular) - 270 WSM and 300 WSM
Alaskan - None
Safari Express - None
Long Range - none
Extreme Timber - 270WSM and 300WSM

NOTE: No Remington and no Ruger.

Remington Rifles

None

Ruger Rifles

None

Mossberg Rifles

None

Browning Rifles

15 rifles in 300WSM
12 rifles in 270 WSM

NOTE: No Remington or Ruger short fat magnum rifles.

It bears emphasis that these short magnums had their problems. The first was diminished magazine capacity due to the larger diameter cartridges. The second dealt with cartridge feeding reliability. The short 30-35 degree shoulders were not conducive to smooth and reliable feeding. Both of these issues made such cartridges unappealing to dangerous game hunters. All in all, the short fat case design may have been a step forward in cartridge development, but apparently not a giant one, and not a highly popular one. The clear winner in this once booming market is Winchester, with their 300 WSM and 270 WSM caliber short magnum offerings. Not surprising, considering that these are two of America's very favorite calibers.


4. The Unprecedented Demand and Availability of Small Concealable Handguns

This one is easy. Here are the Supreme Court cases that make it so:

• Heller - which held that the Second Amendment to the Constitution was a personal right and not one arising out of some form of military service (militias)

• McDonald - which held that the Second Amendment applied to all forms of government (federal, state and local)

• Bruen - which held that arbitrary, malicious, and discriminatory prohibitions against the acquisition of concealed carry permits, were a violation of the Second Amendment and therefore unconstitutional.

These decisions from the Supreme Court not only resolved decades old misconceptions regarding the Second Amendment, but they also removed barriers that have long prevented citizens from exercising their Second Amendment right to self defense. As it turns out, the timing for this couldn't have been better, as there currently an alarming increase in violent crime. Not surprisingly, there is a soaring demand for personal protection, viz., firearms, and the need to carry concealed. For most, it is not comfortable or concealable to carry large frame firearms. Thus, the huge demand for smaller guns is driving the market. There has never been a better time to find a compact, or sub-compact handgun.

These stats should shed some light on the magnitude of the numbers of new gun owners that have exercised their rights.

2020 Gun Stats (Medium).jpg (35.3 KiB) Viewed 1413 times

The magnitude of gun purchases in 2021 and 2022 show similar numbers. The sequel to huge numbers of gun purchases is the similar increase in the numbers of concealed carry permits. The size of the reported number of people obtaining CCWs is not a complete picture of the total number of people carrying. The reason is simple - 25 states do not require permits to carry concealed firearms. So, at least in terms of states which require permits, the National Shooting Sports Foundation said this:

A new report shows the number of concealed carry permit applications is rising, even despite some states limiting Second Amendment rights during recent pandemic shutdowns. The number of permit holders for concealed firearms is nearly 20 million, according to a Washington Examiner report.

Since 1999, the number of concealed handgun permit holders has grown by at least seven-fold. This isn’t surprising given rioting, looting and violence on nightly news. Add to this backdrop criminals being released from jails and growing calls to “defund the police” and Americans are remedying their legitimate concerns by taking responsibility for their own safety.

5. The .30 Super Carry

The .30 SC was designed and developed by Federal Cartridge Company in 2022. The .30 SC is an 8mm cartridge, thus making it 1 mm smaller than a 9mm. (The 9mm is .355 inch, and the .30 SC is .312 inch.) Federal claims that the cartridge delivers 9mm performance, and that more rounds can be carried in a magazine than the 9.

Federal .30 Super Carry.png (138.63 KiB) Viewed 1413 times

Source: Federal (https://www.federalpremium.com/30supercarry.html)


Federal has been around since 1916 and has earned a fine reputation for its loaded ammo, primers and cases (among many other products.) In their 107 years, they have seen just about every kind of firearm success as well as some spectacular flops. The lessons learned in their long and distinguished history, would go a long way toward explaining Federal's continued success.

If the fads and flops in the shooting and firearm business teach us anything, it is to be very circumspect when making claims on new products. So, when advertising claims are made that X-product is the greatest firearm invention, there can be risks, such as when the the public or law enforcement is not convinced that it is the greatest and stop buying it. Since the .30 SC is only a year old, I put it to you what to make of Federal's advertising claim for it's new product:

Introducing 30 Super Carry— the most revolutionary self-defense advancement in nearly 100 years. More than just an all-new cartridge, the compact design represents an entirely new class of ammunition engineered for absolute performance by every measure.

While not intending to throw shade on the .30 SC, I will simply note that a 30 caliber handgun cartridge, for self defense purposes, is not a new concept, by far. In fact, It was Georg Luger who designed his original Parabellum (meaning prepare for war) in 1898, and it was for a 30 caliber (7.65 mm) bullet. The gun for which this 30 cal. cartridge was built was the Model 1900 Parabellum pistol.

Model 1900 Parabellum pistol.jpg (572.27 KiB) Viewed 1387 times

Source: American Rifleman 2021 (https://www.americanrifleman.org/conten ... rformance/)

The popularity of the Luger 7.65×21mm Parabellum was significant and lasted for over 60 years. The American Rifleman noted:

Production of the (Parabellum pistol) began in 1900, and Switzerland immediately adopted the Pistole Parabellum in 7.65×21mm, a.k.a. 7.65 Parabellum and .30 Luger. The cartridge has been popular in Europe and the U.S., as well as Brazil. European police agencies used this cartridge well into the 1960s, (American Rifleman 2021 (https://www.americanrifleman.org/conten ... rformance/)

Regardless of this history, it would be less than fair to criticize this new round, at this very early stage in its life. Time will tell if this is a fad or the most revolutionary self-defense advancement in nearly 100 years. How about your thoughts?

[DaveK]

Firearm and Shooting Trends / Fads II



6. Creedmoor and 6 Point Somethings



7. 40 S&W

In 1990, the 40 S&W was ushered into firearm history in a blaze of hype, coming from many corners, most notably the FBI and (of course) Smith & Wasson, the creator of the round. For the FBI, the S&W 40 represented a way to avoid another embarrassment like the 1986 FBI shootout in Miami.

For better or worse, when the FBI adopts standard sidearm (as it did with the 40 S&W), law enforcement usually follows. And so it was. Naturally, this was followed by a frenzy amongst the civilian market to do likewise.

The cartridge has been around now for about 30 years, and like so many of the ultra-hyped wonder guns or cartridges, the gleam of the S&W 40 just faded and it seems to have settled into firearm history, where it belongs. Most law enforcement departments have dropped the 40, as did the FBI. And, in the civilian market, sales have dropped off the cliff.

Here is something to ponder: The death of the 40 seems to have coincided with a rebirth of the 10 mm. Go figure!

Here are some interesting articles on the death of the 40

• https://1791gunleather.com/death-of-the-40-sw/

• https://www.shootingillustrated.com/art ... 40-sw-dead

8. 9 mm

The 9mm is a success story that is over 120 years old. And while the 9 has had it's ups and downs, it presently is one of the most popular rounds for law enforcement, military, and civilian use. This popularity is due to many factors. but one of the most important is the ever increasing efficiency of cartridge components. Improved powders and improved projectiles now have created a cartridge that is nipping at the heels of the famous .357 magnum. More on the net, but consider this offering from Cor-Bon:

Cor-Bon 125 gr. 9 mm.png (95.95 KiB) Viewed 1386 times

Source: Cor Bon (https://shopcorbon.com/index.php?route= ... uct_id=230)



Conclusion: After more then 120 years, it is not just still in use, but one of the most popular rounds in the US - Definitely NOT A FAD

[KK6DYO]

Trend: Female and "Minority" Gun Ownership

I've read anecdotal evidence and seen infographics over the past couple of years, mainly coming from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), about the increase of females and minorities firearm purchasers especially among first time buyers. The double whammy of fear of what COVID might do to civilization and 2020's summer of "peaceful protests" plus observing police being apparently near powerless to intervene led many to take personal protection into their own hands.


The only data-driven survey that I've found is the following:
Firearm Purchasing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From the 2021 National Firearms Survey, February 2022

Note the differences between the first column (gun owners) and the last column (new gun owners):

• more younger people became gun owners
• more females became gun owners
• more blacks and Hispanics became gun owners

Gun Ownership Demographics.png (256.63 KiB) Viewed 1111 times

Firearm Purchases per Month.png (95.19 KiB) Viewed 1107 times

2021 National Firearms Survey, July 16, 2021
Gun Ownership on the Rise Among Women and Minorities, January 10, 2022
Survey Indicates Millions Of New Gun Owners, Changing Demographics, February 15, 2022
National African American Gun Association

[KK6DYO]

Continuing: AR-15 (Modern Sporting Rifle) Platform

ANOTHER MAJOR POLL SHOWS INCREASING POPULARITY OF MSRS AMONG AMERICANS, February 27,2023

Hold Tight.jpg (123.45 KiB) Viewed 1343 times

Popularity Due to

• Lightweight (6½ pounds) due to aluminum receiver
• Low recoil
• Relatively inexpensive typical (.223 Remington/5.56x45mm) ammunition
• Huge aftermarket support
• Symbolic / Murica!
• Panic buying due to proposed bans
• Abundance of vendors
• IMHO Big Noise due to muzzle brakes (I hate shooting next to indoor AR shooters!)

AR-15 Accessories.jpg (31.3 KiB) Viewed 1160 times

Partial List of Calibers (Full List)

• .17 HMR
• FN 5.7x28mm
• .22LR
• .22 WMR
• 5.56 NATO (5.56x45mm NATO)
• 6.5 Grendel
• .300 AAC Blackout
• .300 HAM’R
• .300 Whisper
• 7.63x39
• .350 Legend
• 9mm (x19)
• .30 Carbine
• .375 SOCOM
• .40 S&W
• 10mm Auto
• .400 Legend (new)
• .45 ACP
• .450 Bushmaster
• .458 SOCOM
• .50 Beowulf
• .50 Action Express

[KK6DYO]

Trend: Lever Action Rifles

Benjamin Tyler Harrison developed the first reliable level action rifle in 1860, holding 16 .44 caliber copper rimfire cartridges. Firearms historian Herbert Houze claims that one man armed with a Henry rifle was the equivalent of 14 or 15 men equipped with single-shot guns. Uberti makes a faithful replica of the 1860 Henry Rifle:

Uberti Henry 18650.jpg (20.01 KiB) Viewed 1314 times

The Henry was not used that much during the Civil War. The Department of War believed that soldiers would waste ammunition by firing too rapidly, and use ammunition at a rate that could not be sustained by Union logistics. Also, the Henry could not be equipped with a bayonet and was relatively fragile.

The Henry went on to be further developed by Winchester, resulting in a succession of nine lever action rifles. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_rifle


Note: a lever action rifle should be cycled while the stock remains on the shoulder, unlike the movies.

Quick lever action shooting:
YouTube: Quick lever action shooting

Lever action rifles often have tubular magazines: the base of one cartridge (containing the primer) rests on the tip of the bullet of the previous. A spitzer or spire (sharp) pointed bullet might well detonate a primer during sharp recoil, thus most cartridges intended for lever action rifles have rounded or flat points.

Hornady developed their LEVERevolution ammunition which uses a soft polymer point which avoids this problem and increases the ballistic coefficient of lever action projectiles, i.e., fly faster longer with less drop.

45-70-government.jpg (193.3 KiB) Viewed 1304 times

The Return of Lever-Action Rifles, June 27, 2020
5 Reasons You Want a Lever Gun (Even if You Don't Know it Yet), October 14, 2021


Fad: "Tactical" Lever Action Rifles

If you paint a lever-action rifle black (no, not *that* black rifle), attach a Picatinny rail somewhere, maybe skeletonize the stock, and attach an unnecessary KeyMod or M-LOK handguard, what do you get?

A "tactical" lever gun!

8 Tactical Lever-Action Rifles Available In 2023
YouTube: 5 Best Tactical Lever Action Rifles to Buy in 2023

I suspect this is an acknowledgement of the ability of lever action guns to cycle very quickly (i.e., for potential zombie defensive purposes) with fear that The Black Rifle might in some future day, month, or year get banned. YouTube: 'Ban assault weapons now,' Biden urges Congress | 2023 State of the Union

Admittedly, I think these of kinda cool!


Henry Big Boy X (.45 Colt, .357/.38 Spl, .44 Mag/.44 Spl) MSRP $1090

Henry Big Box X.jpg (20.43 KiB) Viewed 1322 times

Rossi R92 Triple Black (.44 Mag) MSRP $1030

Rossi R92 Black.jpg (19.91 KiB) Viewed 1321 times

Citadel Levtac-92 (.357 Mag) MSRP $700

Citadel Levtac.jpg (21.93 KiB) Viewed 1320 times

POF Tombstone (9mm) MSRP $1962 - $2097

POF Tombstone.jpg (25.58 KiB) Viewed 1319 times

Other .45-70 Offerings to Consider

Ruger Marlin 1895 SBL.jpg (47.02 KiB) Viewed 878 times

Henry Single Shot .45-70.jpg (35.12 KiB) Viewed 877 times

BFR.jpg (26.8 KiB) Viewed 880 times

Thunder Snub.jpg (116.82 KiB) Viewed 880 times

Bond Arms Cyclops.jpg (88.57 KiB) Viewed 878 times

[KK6DYO]

Resurgence: .45-70 Government Caliber

.45-70 Ammo.jpg (299.96 KiB) Viewed 1123 times

45-70-405.jpg (28.63 KiB) Viewed 1094 times

45-70 Government 250gr MonoFlex.jpg (45.58 KiB) Viewed 1099 times

Straight Wall Cartridges

Have become popular in some states (Iowa, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois) which now allow them for hunting in addition to shotguns. Intentionally limited ballistics more suitable to areas with higher human population densities.

Top 5 Straight-Wall Cartridges for Deer Hunting, October 18, 2022

• .45-70 (1873)
• .444 Marlin (1964)
• .460 S&W Magnum (2005)
• .450 Bushmaster (2007)
• .350 Legend (2019)

Other Straight-Wall Cartridges

• .360 Buckhammer (2023)
• .50 Beowulf (2001)
• .44 Magnumm (1954)
• .357 Magnum (1935)
• .45 [Long] Colt (1872)

Truth About Straight-Walled Cartridge Ballistics, February 12, 2020

[KK6DYO]

Resurgence: 10mm Automatic Caliber

Semi-Auto Handgun Cartridges.jpg (114.06 KiB) Viewed 1163 times

Originally designed in 1983 by Norma Precision for Bren Ten pistol for flat trajectory and high energy of magnum cartridges in a semi-automatic pistol, influenced heavily by Jeff Cooper.

Note: Desert Eagle Mark I introduced in 1983 (.357 Magnum and .44 Magnum) (4 pounds)

Selected by FBI in 1989 in response to 1986 Miami-Dade Shootout in which 2 FBI agents were killed and 5 wounded of 8 involved. Both bank robbery suspects were killed, one shot six times the other twelve. FBI agents had two 12-gauge shotguns, three 9MM pistols, two .357 Magnum revolvers, and five .38 Special revolvers between them. The one suspect using a .223 Ruger Mini-14 did most of the shooting. One felon was able to keep in the fight despite a bullet wound through the arm and side which stopped short of his heart. FBI determined handgun stopping power was the issue.

BTW, Paul Harrel (YouTube: Analysis of Miami-Dade Shootout (2017-03-31)) believes the real issues were lack of preparation and marksmanship failures, not caliber.

Smith & Wesson had problems producing the 10mm 1076 (FBI model of 1006). Recoil was excessive for average agents. Pistol grips were too large (to accommodate long 10mm cartridge) for "small-handed individuals". The 1076 was not reliable with a special FBI loading (called 10mm Lite or 10mm FBI) which pushed the 180 grain bullet at 950 fps.

Then, it was discovered that the 10mm FBI load could be reproduced in a shorter cartridge. Smith & Wesson developed this as the .40 S&W with a case .142" less.

FBI switched to .40 W&W in 1997 (and to 9mm in 2014).

Many people believed this to be the death of 10mm Automatic.

FBI still uses an HK MP5 in 10mm for their Hostage Rescue Team and SWAT.

The 10mm Auto: History & Performance of a Potent Pistol Cartridge, July 8, 2020

10MM The One Caliber.jpg (251.27 KiB) Viewed 1341 times

Handguns

• SIG Sauer P220 Legion, P320-XTEN
• Ruger SR1911 (1911-style), GP100 (revolver, moon clips), Super Redhawk (revolver, moon clips)
• Springfield Armory XD-M Elite, 1911 Ronin (1911-style)
• Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0, Model 610 (revolver, moon clips)
• Glock G20 Gen4, G20 Gen5 MOS (Modular Optic System), G29 Gen4, G29SF, G20SF, G40 Gen4 MOS
• Amscor (Rock Island Armory) Rock Ultra, TAC Ultra, Pro Ultra (all 1911-style)
• Colt Delta Elite
• Dan Wesson Firearms Bruin (1911-style)
• Kimber Manufacturing Rapide (1911-style)
• Nighthawk Custom Predator (1911-style)
• Tanfoglio T 95 Combat/EAA Witness
• FN 510 Tactical

SMG/SBR

• HK MP5/10

  

  HKMP510.gif (62.52 KiB) Viewed 895 times

• B&T USA APC10 YouTube: The 10mm King of SMGs: The B&T APC-10

  

  B&T APC10.JPG (110.02 KiB) Viewed 895 times

Rifles (Carbines)

• TNW Aero Survival Rifle
• CMMG Banshee MK10
• Hi-Point 1095TS
• Kriss Vestor G2 CRB
• Just Right Carbines
• Thureon Defense PCC 10mm

California (all "expiring" 1/1/2024)

• Glock G20 Gen3, G20SF Gen3, G29 Gen3, G29SF (Gen3)
• Kimber Eclipse, Target
• Smith & Wesson Model 610
• Ruger GP100, Super Redhawk

Ammunition

10mm Ammo.jpg (103.98 KiB) Viewed 1300 times

10mm Factory Loads.jpg (77.51 KiB) Viewed 889 times

Buffalo Bore Heavy 10mm Ammo

The Glock 20 (10mm Auto) is issued by Denmark Sirius Dog Sled Patrol as defense against polar bears, the 9x19mm Parabellum having proved insufficient.


Comparison of 10mm, .40S&W, and .357 Magnum muzzle energy. Note that graphs go up to 18" where 10mm would most likely be used in a 3" to 6" barrel handgun.

Note that many 10mm loads don't provide much beyond .40 S&W, with .357 Magnum appearing to be the clear winner. (Data from http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/.) Reloading 100 or purchasing specialty ammo (e.g., Buffalo Bore Heavy 10mm Ammo) allows you to take advantage of 10mm Auto's true capabilities.

10mm.jpg (79.73 KiB) Viewed 1333 times

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357mag.jpg (72.14 KiB) Viewed 1331 times

Reloading

Even reloading manuals often don't generally provide data for "maximum" 10mm loads (37,500 psi) but closer to .40 S&W (35,000 psi). Here are example from the Lyman 50th Edition showing two 155 gr loads, one jacketed Silvertip with typical pressures around 29,000 and another Barnes all-copper TAC-XP with pressure near maximum. Of the 11 bullets shown, only the loadings for the Barnes TAC-XP exceed .40 S&W pressures.

10mm Factory Loads.jpg (77.51 KiB) Viewed 892 times

[KK6DYO]

Future Trend: 6.8x51mm (.277 SIG Fury) Caliber

Next Generation Squad Weapon Program started in 2017 to replace:

• M4A1 Carbine (5.56x45mm NATO)
• M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, light machine gun (5.56x45mm NATO)
• M240 Machine Gun (7.62x51mm NATO)

Goals

• "provide significant capability improvements in accuracy, range and overall lethality: lightweight, fire more lethal ammunition, mitigate recoil, provide improved barrel performance, and include integrated muzzle sound and flash reduction"
• defeat improvements in Russian and Chinese body armor

April 2022: U.S. Army selected SIG Sauer weapons shooting the 6.8x51mm Common Cartridge (SAAMI .277 SIG Fury)

• XM7 (2 pounds more than M4)

  

  SIG_Sauer_XM7.jpg (41.57 KiB) Viewed 886 times

• XM250 (13 pounds, 5 less than M249)

  

  XM250_automatic_rifle.jpg (50.67 KiB) Viewed 887 times

6.8x51mm Common Cartridge (SAAMI .277 SIG Fury)

277_Fury_SAAMI_diagram.jpg (96.82 KiB) Viewed 885 times

Sig Sauer says that the 6.8x51mm has performance superior to the 6.5mm Creedmoor.

The US Army’s Newest Caliber: .277 SIG FURY/6.8x51mm, May 5, 2022

SIG SAUER GRABS THE BIG, MESSY NGSW ENCHILADA, January 2023

YouTube: 277 Fury - 6.8x51 - Has the military lost its mind?, April 6, 2022

[KK6DYO]

Future Trend: Laser Range-Finding Rifle Scopes

I presume we're all familiar with laser rangefinders which measure target distance by measuring the time required to reflect a laser pulse off a target and return to the rangefinder.

Building a rangefinder into a rifle scope then moving the reticle image to show the calculated point of impact at the target distance might take most of the skill out of shooting, but it would virtually guarantee hits.

During a December 2015 American Sniper "Shootout", Taya Kyle (Chris Kyle's widow), a novice shooter, used a TrackingPoint rifle and optic which enabled her to score 100% compared to the vastly more experienced Bruce Piatt who scored 58.6%. The TrackingPoint system didn't just account for target distance, but automatically corrected for elevation and windage by monitoring range, wind, temperature, and humidity as well as rifle attitude (inclination and cant).

'American Sniper' widow Taya Kyle wins Texas shooting competition against world-class sniper

I assumed that such laser range-finding systems or scopes would have become much more popular by now. Here are three offerings:

• Burris Eliminator, $2100 - $2400

  

  Burris Eliminator III.jpg (92.44 KiB) Viewed 884 times

• ATN X-Sight %-20X, $800

  

  ATN X-Sight 4K 5-20-pro.jpg (45.2 KiB) Viewed 883 times

• ATN Thor, $1800m - $4200

  

  ATN Thor 4th Gen 2-8x.jpg (43.13 KiB) Viewed 884 times

The Next Generation Squad Weapon Program also specified a "Fire Control System", the XM157, with the competition won by Vertex. Vertex will eventually make something for consumers similar after military contracts are fulfilled. Weight, price, and specific capabilities unspecified.

All About The XM157 Next Generation Fire Control System for the XM5 Rifle

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